Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 RALEIGH, NC- The Chowan University softball team secured a spot in the CIAA Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon.  The Hawks dropped the semifinal contest 4-1 against Saint Augustine's University before recovering to pick up a 12-9 win over Winston-Salem State University in the consolation bracket. 

The Lady Falcons wasted little time securing a spot in Sunday's Championship, grabbing an early lead in the opening contest against the Hawks.  Saint Augustine's scored one run in the top of the first using Miranda Zanni's RBI double.  A wild pitch and Danyelle Noland's RBI single in the second left the Hawks trailing 3-0.  Chowan plated one run in the third with Tina White's RBI double but Jasmine Rios' homerun down the right field line lifted the Lady Falcons over the Hawks, sending Chowan into the consolation bracket. 

Saint Augustine's out-hit the Hawks 12-6 in the contest. Chandler Bridges notched two hits in the setback while Danielle Baccus, Jordan Burland-Card Katlyn Brummet and White each tallied base hit knocks.  Alora Lincoln took the loss on the mound.  She surrendered three runs (three earned) off seven hits in 1.2 innings of play.  Courtney Groce threw 5.1 innings in-relief. 

The nightcap proved to be an exciting match-up, as Chowan and Winston-Salem State combined for three grand slams in the first two innings of play.  A bases-loaded walk and grand slam by Katrina Bartlett gave Winston-Salem State a 5-0 lead in their first at-bat.  The Hawks quickly responded in their half of the frame when Brummett's RBI single and a bases loaded walk made the score 5-2 in the bottom of the first.  Baccus' grand slam in the same frame gave Chowan a 6-5 advantage.  The Hawks scored an additional run in the first inning on an error before Tori Cragan's leadoff homerun in the bottom of the second pushed the Hawks ahead 8-5.

Winston-Salem State's Jada Johnson returned the lead to the Lady Rams with a grand slam in the top of the third.  Down but not out, Chowan plated three runs in the fourth with Courtney Diamond's RBI single, a Lady Ram error and RBI single by Brook Bowen to take an 11-9 lead.  An error by Winston-Salem gave the Hawks an additional run in the fifth.  The Lady Rams were unable to overcome the deficit and ended their season with a 23-22 overall record. 

Chowan tallied 11 hits in the win led by Cragan, Diamond and White with two hits apiece.  Baccus notched four RBI followed by Bowen and Diamond with two apiece.  Courtney Groce earned the win on the mound after entering the contest in-relief of Kayla Robins.  She threw 6.2 innings in the contest, surrendering four runs (four earned) off of four hits. 

Chowan advances to the CIAA Softball Championship with the victory.  The Hawks will take on Saint Augustine's University on Sunday, May 3rd at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex.  First pitch is slated for 10:00am.